I attended a planning meeting of the #PatientAdherence Working Group in Newark, NJ on Thursday. The group dedicates itself to patients & health teams members developing an adherence plan for best health outcomes. I began discussion of adherence in a previous post: Developing and adhering to a health plan involves studying population health; evidence-based best practice; collaborative relationships, behaviors, language, and alignment of the health team; standardized work flows with on-the-spot improvisation; electronic and non-electronic tools; leadership; and management of cultural and social habits and challenges.
I was educated about the complexity of adherence under the tutelage of Bob Doherty while working at St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center in Albany, NY. Bob taught me that recovery (adherence) involves the whole person and all their social systems – personal health, family relationships, housing, diet, spirit, etc. That relapse is not failure but a milestone in a journey to best health. Relapse is an opportunity to learn and recalibrate. Such lessons! The medical side of health has much to learn from addiction treatment. An inspired example of technology contributing to adherence comes from The Recovery Engagement Center. Check it out.
